PNP disputes ‘high risk’ tag: Poll violence rises in Ilocos

By Mar T. Supnad and Teddy Molina

CAMP FLORENDO, La Union –Poll violence is rising in the Ilocos but Ilocos police director Chief Supt. Franklyn Jesus Bucayu said these are “areas of concern” and not “high risk” as earlier reported.

Last week, Interior and Local government Sec. Manuel Roxas announced that the provinces of La Union, Ilocos Sur and Pangasinan and 12 other provinces, tagged as “high risk areas” in the May 13 polls, were being closely monitored by the Philippine National Police.

In a command conference here Tuesday, Bucayu, noted the intense situation in Tubao town where at least five people have already been killed recently which reports earlier linked to politics.

Bucayu earlier said there were no violent incidents related to politics in the region “but we are now closely monitoring the other areas to prevent untoward incidents the coming polls.”

He said they formed a special task force and  deployed additional policemen to prevent politically-related  violence and trouble that maybe carried out by other groups.

Earlier, Bucayu ordered the relief of chief of police of Tubao police station in La Union due to unsolved shooting incidents, the latest of which were the killings of a lawyer and a barangay official.

Irked by the incidents,  Bucayu relieved  Senior Insp. Luis C. Liban, Tubao police chief due to crime including the failed ambush of Tubao mayor Dante Garcia.

Prior to the implementation of the total gun ban in January 2013, police officials here agreed they would recommend to the national headquarters the early suspension of permits to carry firearms in Tubao town and probably in the entire second district of La Union to prevent violence in next year’s midterm polls. 

“In fact, members of civil society groups in La Union held a rally last week in Freedom Park, Agoo town to denounce the incidents and  call for peace and justice for the victim’s families,” said Supt. Julius Suriben, deputy regional intelligence officer.

La Union provincial police chief Senior Supt. Ramon O. Purugganan said peace and order situation in Tubao necessitates change for new police leadership.

Purugganan designated Senior Insp. BenignoSumawang as officer in charge of Tubao PNP station. 

Mayor Dante Garcia was ambushed but was unharmed by still unknown suspects.

Rodolfo Estoque, a barangay kagawad was shot to death while Lazaro Gayo, a former vice mayor and an aspiring candidate for Sangguniang Panlalawigan was also gunned down.

Garcia has reportedly endorsed his nephew to replace him leaving behind his unnamed brother who is reportedly aspiring to run for mayor.

In Vigan City, Ilocos Sur, provincial police alsao took exception to reports on the supposed inclusion of the province in the list of 15 high-risk areas in next year’s elections.

Senior Supt. Noel Amoyen, provincial police director, said there have been no politically related crimes in the province for a long time.

He dismissed the poll hotspot tag as “speculation,” saying though it would keep local policemen more alert and dedicated in their work.